Beauty and the Beast Wolf Costume - 2007/03/20 09:39I'm a wolf in my school's production of Beauty and the Beast,and our costumes are black spandex pants,tight black long sleeved turtlenecks,and a mask.Well,I don't really feel comfortable wearing just spandex as pants,but I have to...So how can I get more comfortable with it SOON?The show opens a week from Thursday,so I don't have much time.
Thanks!
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TheatreGhost
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Re:Beauty and the Beast Wolf Costume - 2007/03/20 13:12Suck it up, soldier. Wear it under your pants to get used to the feel, work out while wearing it (in the privacy of your own home, if you're that self concious about it), just get used to wearing it. It's really not that big of a deal; the lights usually aren't too bright in that scene, so the black will blend in with the darkness. I saw a production of B&B where the wolves had glowing eyes. It was a very simple trick, but it drew all attention to the eyes and mask. Something to think about. Break a leg!Sean
"To act is human. There is no off-season."
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I know that this may sound weird coming from a dancer,but in dance class there's only the teaching looking at you,not a crowd in the hundreds.
I've been wearing my spandex around the house all day,and I'll try wearing it at rehearsal tonight just to get used to it.
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katoru
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Re:Beauty and the Beast Wolf Costume - 2007/03/20 23:40Yeah, you pretty much just have to get used to it. Since you say you're a dancer, you're probably not so out of shape that you should be self-conscious. And besides, you're in a mask, the audience will not be able to tell which of the wolves you are (I'm assuming there's more than just you).
When we did The Wizard of Oz this year, the entire company of snowflakes was in sparkly silver, full-body, spandex tights. That's it. Most of them did not have dance bodies. But with nineteen of them on stage, wearing masks, no one could tell who was who.Kathleen Sera Current Shows: Aloha Pinafore - Volga Upcoming Auditions: Crazy For You - Irene Roth
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SingDanceRunLIFE
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Re:Beauty and the Beast Wolf Costume - 2007/03/21 18:06I'm actually not self conscious,I just dress pretty darn modestly...PLUS,I'm totally against the whole spandex leggings as pants trend.
But whatever.
I got through most of rehearsal yesterday w/just my spandex on (most because I wore my napkin outfit for the scenes when I'm a napkin,and that's a skirt).
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triplethreat
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Re:Beauty and the Beast Wolf Costume - 2007/03/21 18:15SingDanceRunLIFE wrote: I know that this may sound weird coming from a dancer,but in dance class there's only the teaching looking at you,not a crowd in the hundreds.
A dancer who has never performed in front of an audience in spandex? I find that a little hard to believe.
At any rate, you only have two choices here: you can get over it, or you can quit.
There's nothing wrong with modesty, but if you are going to continue in the performing arts you need to recognize that there will be roles that require more revealing costumes. If you're not willing to play those roles, you need to be up front about it to the casting people._____________ Kris MTA Admin
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Honestly, I hear you. I was uncomfortable about the whole leotard thing when I started dancing as well. And TripleThreat is right...you'll just have to get over it. There are much more embarrassing things you might be asked to do in the course of your career, and you don't want to be labeled in the professional world as someone with "issues" who will be difficult to work with.
I once had to do a fairly graphic simulation of sex with a woman in a show...and let's just say that's as close as I ever came to actually being with a woman. It was quite embarrassing for me, and I sometimes burst out laughing during rehearsals (I think it was nerves). I was so afraid I was going to laugh during a performance, but I never did.
As for the spandex...you get used to it, trust me!
Henrik
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SingDanceRunLIFE
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Re:Beauty and the Beast Wolf Costume - 2007/03/22 18:03triplethreat wrote: SingDanceRunLIFE wrote: I know that this may sound weird coming from a dancer,but in dance class there's only the teaching looking at you,not a crowd in the hundreds.
A dancer who has never performed in front of an audience in spandex? I find that a little hard to believe.
At any rate, you only have two choices here: you can get over it, or you can quit.
There's nothing wrong with modesty, but if you are going to continue in the performing arts you need to recognize that there will be roles that require more revealing costumes. If you're not willing to play those roles, you need to be up front about it to the casting people.
I've never performed dance before,except in musical theatre and always wearing a dress or a skirt (that's a whole different story though).
I'm getting over it,it's just something to get used to,you know?But I'm not going into the performing arts as a career anyway (I'm not that talented - in fact,my acting is pretty bad,it's pretty much my singing and dancing that gets me into musicals),and since I'm in high school,I'm pretty sure I'm not going to have to ever wear anything really revealing.
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broadwaybaby
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Re:Beauty and the Beast Wolf Costume - 2007/03/22 23:51SingDanceRunLIFE wrote:and since I'm in high school,I'm pretty sure I'm not going to have to ever wear anything really revealing.
The most revealing costume I've ever had to wear to date was when I did Peter Pan as a sophomore in high school. My Tiger Lily costume was basically a suede bikini with beading and some fringe. And I had to dance in it! I definitely understand how it feels to dance in something that feels like nothing, but you'll get used to it. It will take time of course, but try and wear it during rehearsals as much as possible. By the end of the run maybe it will be your favorite costume maybe not, but you'll have learned an important theatre lesson - actors (generally) really have no say when it comes to their costumes.
Anyway, good luck with your show and costume!
----------Emily----------
Currently: taking a much needed break Favorite Roles: Joanie Lish - The Full Monty, Carmen - Sweet Charity, Crystal - Little Shop of Horrors, Sarah's Friend - Ragtime, Little Red Riding Hood - Into the Woods, Evillene - The Wiz, Joy - Cinderella, Tiger Lily - Peter Pan
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Sneffy03
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Re:Beauty and the Beast Wolf Costume - 2007/03/23 01:01I think it's just something you have to get used too. In my highschool production of The Nutcracker, the girls in the Arabian dance had to wear see-through harem pants with colored "cheaters" and basically a sparkley bra...and that was it. Some of them had never been in a play before and were VERY self conscious, but by the time the performance came they just sucked it up and did their best! Also, When I was in "Dark of the Moon" I was a witch. we wore flesh colored body suits with black opaque sheets over us...needless to say, most of the audience thought we were actually naked. You sort of just have to embrace it, if you ACT comfortable in it people will believe you are. Use the outfit to your advantage, to make the audience believe you really are the wolf. *Stephanie*
Favorite roles: Petey Fisk in Greater Tuna The Cat in The Hat in Seussical Dainty June in Gypsy
Next Audition...High School Musical
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SingDanceRunLIFE
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Re:Beauty and the Beast Wolf Costume - 2007/03/23 09:26broadwaybaby wrote: ...maybe not, but you'll have learned an important theatre lesson - actors (generally) really have no say when it comes to their costumes.
The thing about this is,the costumers pretty much left us to figure out the base of our outfits,so we had a lot of control over it.We decided either spandex or sweats,and the other 2 female wolves wanted spandex for us,and sweats for the guys...And that's how I ended up with spandex - I was simply outvoted.
It's okay though.
I'm pretty used to it now,and last night at rehearsal,they were testing the lights on me and another one of the wolves (because we're black,and they don't want to make us purple),and it's going to be really dark,so they won't see us much anyway.
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Annelle
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Re:Beauty and the Beast Wolf Costume - 2007/04/09 17:41There is no room for modesty in the theatre. Words to live by...theatre is all about stepping out of your comfort zone. Half the time you are in your underwear(or less ) while doing a thirty second costume change. A good majority of the time those moments are spent with someone of the opposite gender right beside you. Once you get over the "exposed" feeling and start dealing with it like a mature adult, there are no problems. There will always be moments that you feel uncomfortable, but you just deal and move on. That's what makes acting challenging, becoming comfortable with yourself is the first step. And as for never exposing yourself while dancing...come on. I danced for about five years before I was really injured and well...let's just say that half my town has seen more of me than my closest friends have. Yay spandex! Haha.
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broadwaybaby09
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Re:Beauty and the Beast Wolf Costume - 2007/04/09 21:40Soon enough you'll lose almost all of your modesty, trust me. When I first started middle school, I was very modest. (I got it from my mother, she didn't even really like me wearing 2 piece bathing suits). By the end of my 8th grade show, probably half the guys in my grade had seen me in my bra and shorts. It's good that you've gotten used to your costume though, I know girls who've complained up until the last performance and it's so annoying. Not that I'm saying that about your complaint, I understand not being comfortable with spandex. I just can't stand the girls who complain about how "ugly" or "shapeless" their costumes are-Grrr! I'm glad your getting comfortable wiht the spandex, I'm sure y'all will look great. Break a leg!-Georgia
Current Show: West Side Story - Clarice Recent Shows: Carousel - Principal Dancer, Ensemble, A Christmas Carol - Lily, Charwoman, Charitable Gentleman, Principal Dancer, Ensemble; Rootabaga Stories-multiple roles; Joseph... Dreamcoat -Wives Chorus
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ising88
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Re:Beauty and the Beast Wolf Costume - 2007/04/14 23:56I've got a show coming up in june...I'm not sure what the costumers are planning but I'm sure because of the time period, and my character (a courtesean) I won't be wearing much. I understand the self-consciousness, but I'm personally honored that the directors thought me svelt enough to be such a character. I'll just be rollerblading a lot in the next few weeks, and eating lots and lots of grilled chicken salads.~*~Angelina~*~
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minesayrejoice
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Re:Beauty and the Beast Wolf Costume - 2007/04/18 18:09You think you're exposed in spandex in front of an audience? Try having the entire cast sharing a small dressing room.Maddy, aka minesayrejoice, GreenGirl, GavrocheGrrl, EriksWife (Erik'swife), and jewelkat.
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maybe not, but you'll have learned an important theatre lesson - actors (generally) really have no say when it comes to their costumes.
) while doing a thirty second costume change. A good majority of the time those moments are spent with someone of the opposite gender right beside you. Once you get over the "exposed" feeling and start dealing with it like a mature adult, there are no problems. There will always be moments that you feel uncomfortable, but you just deal and move on. That's what makes acting challenging, becoming comfortable with yourself is the first step. And as for never exposing yourself while dancing...come on. I danced for about five years before I was really injured and well...let's just say that half my town has seen more of me than my closest friends have. Yay spandex! Haha.
